Why Water? Health Benefits of Aquatic Exercise

There are lots of options for getting in shape and exercising; so why choose water? There are actually some health benefits to aquatic exercise that are particular to that form of exercise. Here is an overview of some of the benefits of aquatic exercise.

1. Support
Water provides a gentle and effective support that helps with balance and joint stress. For pregnant women, water provides buoyancy and may provide relief from the stress and strain of pregnancy on the body. Falling during exercise is a whole different thing when there is water to catch you, so those with balance problems or difficulty getting coordinated with traditional workout moves may find the support of water is just the thing.

2. Keeping Cool
For those prone to overheating and sweating, aquatic exercise can help keep you cool. It also eliminates (or at least decreases) the sometimes uncomfortable appearance and feeling of excessive sweating. Water helps to keep your body temperature even as you work out.

3. Resistance
Water offers greater resistance than air. That’s why it’s so hard to run fast in water! Your muscles have to work harder for even simple movements. This may increase muscle strength and endurance, and helps with toning. Sources say that water exercise produces desired results faster than exercise on dry land.

Another potential benefit of water’s resistance is the increase in calories burned per minute.

4. Mobility
In the water, you can move in ways you just can’t on land. With the water to hold you up, you may find that you can move your joints in a wider range of motion than in the air.

5. Mental Health
There is evidence to suggest that aquatic exercise improves the mental state of participants. For those with painful disorders such as arthritis, exercise in warm water can improve mood and outlook. Research shows that pregnant women can improve their mood and the mental health of their babies. There is even evidence that shows water exercise can help ease depression.

6. Blood Pressure
Sources say that water exercise can reduce blood pressure. This may tie in with stress reduction, which aquatic exercise is said to help. Also, water exercise is reputed to improve overall cardiovascular health, which may, by extension, improve blood pressure as well. Sources note that aquatic exercise maintains an increased heart rate, which is important for heart health; but the maintained heart rate is said to be lower than the heart rate reached when you run, for instance.